Dietary Guidlines And Natural Treatment For Back Pain
DIETARY GUIDELINES
• Avoid foods containing saturated, hydrogenated, and partially hydrogenated fats. In the body, these fats are transformed into a type of hormone like compound called a prostaglandin that promotes inflammation and pain. This means eliminating from your diet butter, red meat, shellfish, margarine and shortenings (or anything that contains them), tropical oils such as coconut and palm oil, and all fried foods. Moderate amounts of baked, broiled, or poached fish and white-meat poultry, as well as low or nonfat dairy products such as yogurt, are acceptable.
• Include fresh pineapple in your diet. Fresh pineapple is high in bromelain, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Soups made with plenty of garlic, onions, and green leafy vegetables, plus burdock root, ginger root, and turmeric root, are natural pain relievers with anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties.
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
• Bromelain is a natural enzyme that reduces inflammation. Take 300 to 500 milligrams three times daily, between meals.
• Calcium and magnesium can be effective for pain associated with muscle spasms. Take 500 milligrams of each three times daily. These minerals are best taken with vitamin C to improve bioavailability.
• Flaxseed oil contains essential fatty acids that have an anti-inflammatory effect. Take 1 tablespoonful (or 500 to 1,000 milligrams in capsule form) twice a day.
• Glucosamine sulfate is a safe and effective natural alternative to aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is especially helpful for arthritis-type pain. Take 500 milligrams three times daily. If you weigh over 200 pounds, take the same dose four times daily.
• Pain, particularly low back pain, sometimes responds to high doses of vitamin C. Take 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C and an equal amount of bioflavonoids three times daily.
